In yesterday's Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks meeting, members voted unanimously in favor of baiting deer.

The change came when a vote was taken on a proposal to remove language from the current supplemental feeding regulations that states hunters cannot hunt within the line of sight of a feeder. By removing that language, hunters will be able to shoot deer at feeders.

"It means the feeder no longer has to be hidden," said Lann Wilf, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Deer Program leader. "It can be in plain view as long as it's 100 yards (or more) away."

Commission chairman Charles Rigdon said the proposal is a reflection of hunters' opinions.

The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks voted to remove language from the supplemental feeding regulations and allow hunters to shoot deer at feeders. (Photo: Brian Broom/The Clarion-Ledger)

"We ran an email survey maybe two months ago," Rigdon said. "The survey came back, if I remember correct, 62 percent in favor of that line of sight.

"The majority, by far, wanted to see that done."

As surprising as the move was to some, so was the vote itself. The vote was not included in the printed agenda made available to the public. It was also done at the end of the meeting with no verbal discussion. One commissioner said, "...supplemental feeding," and a vote was taken.

That combination led one attendee to comment off the record that he felt it was an attempt to pass the proposal without much notice.

Rigdon said that was not the case. He said the original agenda had been amended to include the proposal vote, but the updated version was not made available to everyone.

"That was not intended," Rigdon said. "There was a mistake on some agendas.

"It just did not get put on all agendas on accident."

Further disputing any attempt to veil the vote, Rigdon noted that like other proposed regulation changes, this one will be available for a 30-day public comment period before being finalized.

As to the lack of discussion on the topic during the meeting, Rigdon said that was done beforehand.

"That was a normal vote," Rigdon said.

Contact Brian Broom at (601) 961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com. Follow The Clarion-Ledger Outdoors on Facebook and @BrianBroom on Twitter.